That’s right folks, we’ve put together a little printable back pocket flagging guide for you to take out on the town. No longer will you have to hijack someone’s smart phone in order to figure who’s flagging what. Enjoy!

Hands aren’t the safest: you are not always aware of cuts under and around fingernails. Cuts greatly increase the risk of infection-transmission.

Sex fluids that carry infections can infect microcuts that might result from ordinary dry skin or abrasions of any sort, and are invisible to the naked eye. You can check skin for microcuts by splashing it with rubbing alcohol, lemon juice or vinegar: which will cause cuts to sting (frequent exposure to rubbing alcohol will dry the skin in a way that can cause damage).

Check all hands: if there are visible cuts or scratches, or you fail “the sting test“, use gloves.

Like kissing, most people seem to be ok with the risks involved in hand jobs.

Remember: hand jobs are only safest if hands are not swapped; that is one hand per person/orifice. Swapping hands (ie using a hand on yourself then another person without a barrier) involves fluid exchange, and therefore puts you at much greater risk.

Black/White check (alt. safety pin) originated during the 80s AIDS crisis, for obvious reasons. Flagging Black/White check means you’re in for a night of wholesome play, which doesn’t mean the play is soft, rather that the safest possible option is taken (and fluids aren’t exchanged). Many fluid-bonders choose to play outside a fluid bonding circle/chain with the following activities.

Oil based lubes degrade latex, as do other oil based substances like sunscreen, tanning lotion, bath oils, bubble bath, soap and shampoo.

Silicone lubricant is the best to use as it is not water soluble (will not be washed away in water).

There has been little research into the effectiveness of condoms underwater. That said, it seems silicone lube on a latex condom is the best.

As it is water-resistant, silicone lubricants may be difficult to wash off (your body, clothes, sheets).

Make sure condoms/gloves are put on dry skin.

It is a lot more likely a barrier will slip off; holding it in place will decrease this risk.

Any kind of penetrative (front or back) sex in water containing chlorine or bacteria makes abrasions, irritation and infection a lot more likely. High risk: thrush, UTI. This risk is higher for people with a vagina.

For sex in shower/bath: invest in a nonslip mat. Having something to hold onto is also a plus (like a bar installed).

Make sure you have the right size (a tight fit) for gloves and condoms. Different brands have different sizes.

You can make dams from unlubricated condoms by cutting them up one side. Extra thin condoms tend to provide more stimulation than dams. You can make a tongue condom from a glove: cut the wrist and fingers off (leaving the thumb in tact), then cut up the side where the pinkie was. This tends to afford the highest sensitivity to both giver and receiver.

Ensure barriers are within their use-by date (they degrade over time and are thus more likely to break).

Make sure it is not torn when removed from packaging.

Coloured gloves are awesome because you can have a different colour for each hand.

Double glove for the convenience of moving from back to front play (just whip off the outer glove).

With condoms: if relevant, pull back the foreskin. Squeeze the air out of the tip (you can also place a small amount of lube on the inside tip of the condom to reduce air bubbles and increase sensitivity) and roll the condom all the way down.

For oral sex/rimming, lube can be put beneath the barrier for extra stimulation – but be aware that this makes it more likely to slip off. With dams, mark each side with a different coloured marker to more easily keep track of the down and up sides.

Hold the barrier in place during use.

Check that the condom remains in tact throughout use. The more lube you use and the more frequently (while fucking), the less likely breakage is. When pulling out, hold the base of the condom to ensure it doesn’t slip off.

Use barriers only once. Use a different barrier for each person or orifice. Throw them in the bin after use.

Use water or silicone-based lube with latex condoms. Non-latex condoms tend to be made of silicone. Don’t use silicone condoms or lube on silicone dildos/toys. Oil based lubes (like hand cream or Vaseline) weaken latex condoms, causing them to break more easily.

Also:

Fisting and hand washing are more risky than fingering as the likelihood of tearing the lining of the vagina/anus is higher.

Know your lube preferences, and how different lubes interact with different toys and parts of the body.

Know what agreement you have with a fluid-bondee for playing outside.

Before play

Be aware of cuts or scraps on your body, especially hands and mouth, and if you’re feeling sick.

“Sting test” your hands (and any other parts of your body that may come into contact with fluids): Sex fluids that carry infections can infect microcuts that might result from ordinary dry skin or abrasions of any sort, and are invisible to the naked eye. You can check skin for microcuts by splashing it with rubbing alcohol, lemon juice or vinegar: which will cause cuts to sting (frequent exposure to rubbing alcohol will dry the skin in a way that can cause damage).

Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap.

Don’t brush your teeth or floss.

Take a piss.

Inform players of your allergies, lube preferences.

Look at other players hands, and if relevant, genitals for lesions.

Negotiate how you want to play. <LC: more info in link coming soon>

During play

The best way to decrease the risk of infection transmission is to prevent infected site contact and limit abrasions.